January 26 will be a day that will forever live in infamy. At around 3 p.m. word came down that Los Angeles Lakers legend and five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. He was one of five people who perished.One of the victims was Bryant's 13-year old daughter, Gianna Bryant, according to ESPN. The other victims are reportedly another player and a parent, their identities have not been released. Nobody survived the crash. Reports are that Bryant was on his way to his Mamba Academy.
Bryant, and his daughter, are survived by his wife, Vanessa and three children. The tragedy comes less than 14 hours after current Lakers star LeBron James passed Bryant for third place on the NBA's All Time Scoring List.
The tragic news is hard to stomach. Bryant was not only of the greatest players in the history of the sport, but was of the toughest competitors, and accomplished family men out there.
The accolades and shock has been widespread.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady Tweeted: "We miss you already Kobe RIP"
Jets safety Jamal Adams tweeted a picture of himself gesturing the number '24' - Bryant's old number, with his hands at the Pro Bowl.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees offered his thoughts as well.
During a Raptors-Spurs basketball game, both teams took 24-second violations to honor the late NBA star.
Meanwhile Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabar offered his thoughts in a video.
The news has been shocking. Bryant was expected to be enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame this summer.
It's sad that he will not have the chance to experience it, and us watching him experience that honor. Let's be honest, I always thought Bryant would be one of those faces of the sport who we would see grow old, serving as a face of the league past, present and future much the same way Bill Russell is doing now. Now we will never get that chance. RIP Kobe.
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